An appeal to halt a controversial development east Orange County was denied Tuesday afternoon, and the project will move forward.

In a 4-2 decision, Orange County Commissioners Tuesday voted in favor of upholding recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission for Lake Pickett South, or "The Grow."

“The growth is coming and it’s just being responsible and doing it the right way," said Commissioner Scott Boyd, who represents Orange County District 1.

Developers want to turn 1,200 acres of land east of the Econ River into The Grow, a more than 2,000-home community that emphasizes agriculture. The project includes a working farm, 12 miles of bike paths, farmer’s market and restaurant.

Tuesday's zoning hearing set out stipulations for building, such as roundabouts, traffic lights and wetland buffer zones.

But, before it could even get underway, neighbors were complaining that Mayor Teresa Jacobs -- away on a business trip overseas -- needed to be present for the discussion.

“We’re asking that they cancel this meeting so that the mayor can be here, because the mayor supported us at the last meeting," said Bill Lutz, who has lived in east Orange County for over 30 years.

“The full board should be here to say grace over it," said Orange County District 3 Commissioner Pete Clarke, making a motion to suspend the hearing. Commissioners voted down that idea, and moved forward.

Back in July, commissioners voted to change a land-use plan for the area, propelling The Grow and a neighboring proposal community, Lake Pickett North or "Sustany," forward.

Since then, developer Dwight Saathoff said he’s made tweaks to his project.

“I do like to try to accommodate people’s concerns to the point where they can accept and support a project," Saathoff said Tuesday.

Nearly two dozen speakers took to the podium in support of, or against, The Grow.

“I am not being paid by this developer to say I approve this development," said one woman, giving her stamp of approval.

“I understand they’re a big project, and I’m a nothing piece of a property owner, but I still have rights," said Larry Frankel, whose property butts against The Grow.

In the end, Commissioners denied an appeal and upheld the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission. Still, not all are on board.

“It was not what I hoped for, but what I expected," said Emily Bonilla, who lives along Lake Pickett Road.

Bonilla said that she is so concerned about the development, she’s running for County Commission against Edwards in November’s election.

“I’m opposed to the project, because it’s in the wrong area. It’s in the Econ River basin, which is environmentally sensitive,” she said. “It’s also going to bring traffic issues."

“I just see this as the beginning of the end of east Orange County, so I’m sorry, but I won’t be supporting it," said Commissioner Clarke.

According to Orange County, the next step in the process is for the developer to submit subdivision plans, likely taking six to eight months; they, too, will need to be approved.

The County also says there’s an administrative hearing pending.